Introduction
Originally, social and gender relations of the Pharaonic Egypt are studied by various historical documents and evidences, while the real model of relations may be traced in literature and mythology. It is doubtless, that the original situation was shown in fiction by ancient authors of the myths, as all the events, associated with gods, wonders and adventures were shown on the background of the Egyptian society, as it could be observed.
The aim of this paper is to analyze The Instructions of Ptah-hotep, and describe the key features of social and gender relations, which may be traced in the text of this writing. Originally, Ptahhotep, was a vizier under King Isesi of the Egyptian Fifth Dynasty (c. 2414-2375 BC), so, the witnesses, which he offers, are trustworthy.
Wellbeing within the Society
Originally, the ancient society was featured with the extensive gap between the riches and poor people, as the rich often tend to become richer, and poor people become even poorer. Moreover, the development of slavery made the situation within the society even more aggravated, as dissatisfaction grew, and the ruling dynasty could do nothing, or did not wish to do anything. The words by Ptahhotep:
O King, my lord!
Age is here old age arrived.
Feebleness came, weakness grows,
Childlike one sleeps all day.
Eyes are dim, ears deaf,
Strength is waning through weariness,
The mouth, silenced, speaks not,
The Heart, void, recalls not the past,
The bones ache throughout.
Good has become evil, all taste is gone,
What age does to people is evil in everything.
The nose, clogged, breathes not,
Painful are standing and sitting. (p. 29)
The world becomes colorless, and money makes people evil and heartless, while the others suffer from this disparity. In the light of this fact, there is strong necessity to mention that the original situation within the Egyptian society may be regarded even more awful, than Ptahhotep describes it, as the real sorrows of the poor people could not be realized fully by the top of the society.
Marriage and Gender Relations
As for the matters of relations between men and women, it should be stated that originally, marriage, as the culmination point of gender relations, was regarded as a private matter. The household keeping and bearing, as well as growing up children were considered to be the main aims of these relations. The fact is that, it is not pictured directly and openly in the Instructions of Ptah-Hotep, nevertheless, he claims that men respected their wives:
If you take a wife a spnt
Who is joyful and known by her town,
If she is fickle and likes the moment,
Do not reject her, let her eat,
The joyful brings happiness. (p. 34)
Moreover, it should be emphasized that Marriage did not require any sanction of the governmental authorities.
Social relations
As for the matters of social relations, there is strong necessity to mention that impossible to make precise estimations of these relations in accordance with the instructions, given by Ptah-Hotep, nevertheless, there are numerous recommendations and prescriptions, which may be used as the key factors for defining the social values and tendencies. Originally, the Egyptian society was featured with the firm social borders and strong prerequisites, associated with every particular social group. Considering the fact, that the instances of career and social growth were not rare, and people could finish their lives in the social groups, different from those, they were born, Ptah-Hotep gives numerous recommendations and instructions:
If you are a man who leads,
Who controls the affairs of the many,
Seek out every beneficent deed,
That your conduct may be blameless.
Great is justice, lasting in effect,
Unchallenged since the time of Osiris.
One punishes the transgressor of laws,
Though the greedy overlooks this;
Baseness may seize riches,
Yet crime never lands its wares;
In the end it is justice that lasts,
Man says: “It is my father’s ground” (p. 30)
Thus, justice, honor, nobility and other positive features were valued highly. The fact is that, these are the universal values for every civilization, for every developed or developing society, consequently, the problems are also similar: bureaucracy, pride, bribery among authorities and judges etc. Otherwise, Ptah-Hotep would not pay so much attention to it. The fact is that, some people originated from lower social classes, nevertheless, managed to reach some heights during their lives. While in Medieval Europe these people would not be accepted as the equals with those, who are originally from high classes, Egyptian society does not accept this disparity, nevertheless, most of these people felt themselves superior, and afforded themselves behave not in accordance with their real position in society, and Ptah-hotep pays some attention to it.
Don’t be proud of your knowledge,
Consult the ignorant and the wise;
The limits of art are not reached,
No artist’s skills are perfect;
Good speech is more hidden than greenstone,
Yet may be found among maids at the
grindstones. (p. 29)
As for the matters of education, which is also mentioned here, and which is regarded as an integral part of any society, as well as the development of the arts, it should be stated that the wisdom of this generation impresses.
Originally, this passage is aimed to emphasize that any skills may be developed constantly, and there are no limits of development, especially if someone is aiming to study arts. Any sphere of life is not limited, and there is space for the further development, which may be used for everyone, who wishes to reach the peak of perfection.
Hierarchies
As for the matters of hierarchies, which are revealed in the text, it should be stated that Ptah-Hotep does not pay too much attention to it, nevertheless, he claims that those who are higher, should take care and respect those who are lower, as those who are lower may become higher, and disrespect the others. Considering the fact that the growth opportunities were equal, the social hierarchy was rather flexible, and often subjected to changes. There was no essential disparity in gender relations, thus, there is no sense to talk of the hierarchy or inequality issues between men and women.
Conclusion
Finally, it should be stated that the instructions of Ptah-Hotep offer rather smattering information on the matters of social and gender roles and relations in the Egyptian society. The fact is that, these are more recommendations, how people should behave, and the considerations, based on these recommendations are rather subjective.